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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

This Small Mistake Almost Landed Me in a Mexican Jail, Now I Always Read the Fine Print

May 1, 2019
by
Jason Stauffer Jason Stauffer

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Jason StaufferMillion Mile Secrets Team

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INSIDER SECRET: Before you travel out of the country be sure you understand the visa requirements not only for getting into the country, but also for while you are in the country.

Visiting friends is one of my favorite reasons to travel. There’s nothing like having a local to stay with and show you around. Even a nice AirBnb doesn’t compare.

My first trip to Mexico was to visit a former co-worker living in Mexico City. The food was great and the people were friendly. But it was the fine print on my visa that got me.

When you’re in Mexico you should be enjoying the beaches, not worrying about the fine print on your visa

The Advantage of Having a Local on Your Side!

Travel can be a stressful experience, especially when you don’t speak the language and aren’t familiar with the culture. For those reasons, Mexico City was never on my bucket list. But I’m a frugal guy (some might say, miser). So I had developed a habit of visiting places where I could stay for free, and that meant staying with friends!

So I decided to visit a friend, Jorge. He made it easier to stay off the beaten path and avoid the crowds. I didn’t have to rely on online reviews to find the best restaurants. And Jorge negotiated deals for me at the markets I would never have gotten as a tourist!

Knowing a local who knew the language & culture helped me get a sweet deal on this belt buckle with my first initial on It

After seeing the sites of Mexico City, we decided to relax on the beach. So we booked bus tickets to Acapulco.

After a few days in the sun, we were on our way back to Jorge’s place when the bus was stopped at a checkpoint where immigration officials reviewed everyone’s paperwork to ensure we were in the country legally.

Always Read the Fine Print

At the time I was traveling to Mexico, US Citizens were given a 6-month tourist visa upon arrival. What I hadn’t realized was that you were required to carry the visa with you at all times!

When we left for Acapulco, I took a copy of my passport with me, but left my official passport and visa at Jorge’s house. I figured I wouldn’t I need it. And I know how absent-minded I can be, and didn’t want to lose it.

Acapulco Is Home to Beautiful Sunsets and Friendly Immigration Officers

I was removed from the bus with another guy – a Canadian citizen with even less documentation than me. We were put into a van with half a dozen officers armed with assault rifles. I asked their translator if I would be able to leave if I could get my visa faxed over. He shrugged his shoulders and let me know it was “up to his boss to decide.”

At this point, I thought I might be on the verge of drowning in a sea of bureaucracy. You can’t pay for this kind of experience!

My Friend’s Family Came to the Rescue

Surprisingly, it only took me ~8 hours to get back on the road! Jorge’s family was quick to fax my visa over. Then I signed some papers, written in Spanish, that I was told authorized my release.

I was on my way. But the Canadian guy who got taken in with me was definitely spending the night. He had been living in Mexico, working remotely, and stayed well beyond his visa’s expiration, didn’t have his passport, and to top it all off the Canadian Embassy was closed for a holiday.

Skipping the fine print isn’t as bad as completely ignoring all the rules and hoping you don’t get caught.

Later on, I found out that Jorge had spent most of his afternoon trying to bribe (unsuccessfully) an immigration officer to release me. Did I mention the value of having friends who care?

Traveling usually involves some level of uncertainty. But I’ve found that knowing a local can be invaluable.

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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

16comments

So, Mexico enforces its own immigration laws but the US can’t or shouldn’t? How does that make sense? Mexican officials are being blatantly hypocritical when they routinely criticize the US for merely enforcing its immigration laws.

The US requires the same of its legal residents (and probably tourists too…?); but they don’t require the same of it’s citizens. It makes no sense and it ends up being rather racist. Only people who look and sound different are asked to present documentation. And a lack of documentation is usually interpreted as a person being undocumented (and then they go to jail or are deported). There are many cases of US citizens (usually ones with foreign accents) being deported because they weren’t carrying their documentation with them – the documentation that they were not required to carry because they were US citizens! I think everyone should be required to carry documents at all times or nobody.

Interesting point you bring up. I’d think that most people would at least have their state driver’s license when they leave the house which would prove legal residency (but correct me if I’m wrong here: I just figured you have to provide proof of residency to get a state driver’s license).

Yes, I’d agree that most people carry their drivers license with them. But, it’s not a federal document, it doesn’t always prove residency (depending on the State it was issued in), not everyone has a driver’s license, and again, we are not legally required to have a driver’s license or to carry one with us at all times. My friend’s grandfather was deported to Mexico when he was 12 because he didn’t speak English or have any documents on him! He was a US citizen born in US though.

A little more context would have been helpful for people to to understand why Mexican officials would stop a local bus and check for passengers’ legal status, which is not a very common occurrence. Right now, there’s a Central American humanitarian crisis happening. Records numbers of Central American migrants are fleeing extreme drug violence and poverty in countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. As they migrate north by whatever means necessary (walking, buses, etc.), they’re crossing the entire length of Mexico to reach the U.S. border. Therefore, Mexican authorities are conducting more searches than usual. So, yeah, bring your passport everywhere…

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)